How Many Sausages for 150 People (Links, Pounds & Packs)
Prices checked Oct 2026, average US grocery prices. Portions follow common catering rules of thumb; safe temperatures follow USDA. How we calculate
For 150 people you need 300 sausage links (60 lbs (27 kg) of brats · 2 links per person), about $1,233 for the whole party with drinks, sides and charcoal. This is a catering-scale cook: several cookers, holding in insulated boxes or warm ovens, and a crew with assigned jobs.
Brats vs Hot Dogs for 150 People
| Type | Links per lb | For 150 guests | Packs to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bratwurst / Italian | about 5 | 300 links, 60 lbs | 60 packs of 5 |
| Standard hot dogs | about 8–10 | 300 hot dogs, 30 lbs | 38 packs of 8 |
| Mix: 1 brat + 1 hot dog | — | 150 brats + 150 hot dogs | 30 brat packs, 19 hot dog packs |
Brats are heavier and more filling than hot dogs, so a mix of one of each per person works well for mixed ages.
Plan for Exactly 150 Guests
| Grill loads | 12 loads of about 25 links on a 22-inch kettle, 15 minutes each |
|---|---|
| Grills to serve in ~45 min | 4 kettle-size grills |
| Optional beer bath | 12 foil pans of beer and onions to hold cooked links warm |
| Holding pans | 11 half-size foil pans with lids for about 54 lbs of cooked meat |
| Drinks cooler | 8 × 48-quart coolers for 375 cans, plus 23 × 10-lb bags of ice |
| Serving help | 4 cooking, 5 on serving and refills |
Complete Shopping List for 150
| Item | Quantity | Est. cost |
|---|---|---|
| Sausages (bratwurst or Italian links, about 5 per lb) | 60 lbs (27 kg) | $300 |
| Charcoal | 75 lbs (5 bags of 16 lbs) | $113 |
| Buns, one per link | 300 (38 packs of 8) | $106 |
| Drinks, mixed (2.5 per person) | 375 | $413 |
| Potato salad (0.3 lb per person) | 45 lbs (20 kg) | $113 |
| Coleslaw (0.3 lb per person) | 45 lbs (20 kg) | $113 |
| Plates, napkins, cutlery, condiments | 155 plates, 310 napkins | $75 |
| Estimated total | $8.22 per guest | $1,233 |
Links: 300 brats or Italian sausages. Most come 5 to a 19-oz pack, about 5 links per pound.
Gear for This Cook
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Adjust for Your Crowd
The numbers above assume adults with sausages as the main dish and two sides. Scale them for your event:
| Situation | Multiplier | Sausages for 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Main dish, no other meats | ×1 | 60 lbs (27 kg) |
| Served with two other meats | ×0.4 | 24 lbs (11 kg) |
| Big eaters or an all-day event | ×1.25 | 75 lbs (34 kg) |
| Self-serve buffet | ×1.2 | 72 lbs (33 kg) |
Cooking Details
Target temperature: 160°F internal for fresh pork or beef links
Cook time: 12–15 minutes over medium heat, turning often
Food safety: don't leave cooked meat out more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F (USDA). Keep hot food above 140°F.
Want to change drinks, sides and sauces, or download a PDF shopping list?
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How many sausages for 150 people?
Plan 300 sausage links for 150 people, 2 per person. For brats that is about 60 lbs (27 kg), or 60 packs of 5.
How many links are in a pound of sausage?
Bratwurst and Italian sausage run about 5 links per pound. Standard hot dogs are 8–10 per pound.
What does sausages for 150 people cost?
The meat costs about $300 at average US grocery prices ($5.00/lb). With charcoal, drinks, two sides and supplies, budget about $1,233 in total, or $8.22 per guest.